Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON – The ad hoc committee that evaluated the football and other athletic programs at Minnesota West Community and Technical College released its report earlier this month, which President Richard Shrubb has now released to Radio Works. According to Shrubb, he and his staff need to review the report with the MnSCU System’s Office for possible revision prior to implementation, so the recommendations have not yet been adopted by the college.

The committee observed in its report that football and the other athletic programs are a vital part of the college community, and...

WORTHINGTON— In observance of the holidays, some local businesses will close early today for Christmas Eve and most will be closed Christmas Day. All financial institutions will be closed Christmas Day, and will vary hours today. Worthington Federal Savings Bank, Rolling Hills Bank, the Fulda Area Credit Union and United Prairie will close at noon today, Bank of the West and Wells Fargo will close at 2 p.m., and First State Bank Southwest at 3 p.m.

Worthington city offices and Nobles County offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and will be closed on Christmas Day. The...

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa - Arraignment has been set for a Spirit Lake man accused of killing a Jackson woman. Arraignment for 21-year-old Tailer Handsaker is set for 9:30 a.m. December 30th in Dickinson County District Court.

Handsaker was charged with 1st degree murder in the death of 36-year-old Sarah Renee Grimmius of Jackson. The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office says Grimmius was deceased when deputies arrived at 1 28th Street of rural Spirit Lake around 10:30 p.m. December 8th. Court documents say the death may have occurred already a couple of days prior to the discovery of Grimmius...

WORTHINGTON – According to information released Thursday evening, Minnesota West Community and Technical College President Richard Shrubb will retire in July, which is when his contract is complete. Shrubb is currently in his sixth year as president at Minnesota West.

Shrubb said with the college on sound footing and prepared to meet the needs of the region and state, the timing is good for him to pursue new professional challenges.

Steven Rosenstone, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor, said he intends to begin the process of naming Shrubb’s successor by...

WORTHINGTON – The Worthington Police Department is investigating a burglary that took place in the overnight hours Tuesday night and was reported Wednesday at BenLee’s Café. The theft was discovered at approximately 7:20 a.m. Wednesday morning. According to Director of Public Safety Mike Cumiskey, about $170 is missing. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact the Worthington Police Department at 295-5400. The investigation continues.

WORTHINGTON – A former Worthington man with an extensive criminal history was sentenced Wednesday to 92 months in prison, stayed...

WORTHINGTON – Nobles County Commissioners on Tuesday approved the salaries of all county elected officials, just shortly after accepting the resignation of County Assessor Joe Udermann. The commissioners also approved a 2 percent increase in their own salary, on a 3 - 2 vote. Commissioners Marv Zylstra and Matt Widboom voted against the increase, both mentioning that the timing of the vote was not appropriate. Both said it should have been brought up much sooner in the budget process, rather than waiting until last minute.

JACKSON – A Buick LaSabre collided with a road grader Monday morning on Highway 71 in Jackson County, causing non-life threatening injuries to the passenger in the vehicle. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Pamilyn Tracey, age 62, of Jackson was passing the road grader when it made a left-hand turn and the two collided. Gregory Ahrens, age 57, of Jackson, who was driving the road grader, was uninjured. Samuel Tracey, age 61, of Jackson, received non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Jackson Sanford.

WORTHINGTON – During a special closed session meeting Monday night,...

WORTHINGTON – The Minnesota Supreme Court today upheld the conviction of David Dale Spies of Dundee, who pleaded guilty in November 2011 to fifth-degree controlled substance sale.

Spies was arrested in October 2011 after the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force received two anonymous tips regarding marijuana-grow operation on Spies’s property. After his arrest, Spies entered into a plea agreement and was given a stay of imposition and five years probation. He appealed the district court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence, arguing that certain the evidence against him was gained...

WORTHINGTON — The public is invited to a community forum Tuesday regarding the health needs of the Worthington area. Sponsored by the Open Door Health Center, the forums will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Area Learning Center on 11 Avenue.

ODHC is based out of Mankato and currently provides medical, dental and behavioral health care to thousands of individuals in southern Minnesota. Patients can be uninsured or insured, citizens and non-citizens, from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and of all ages. They offer mobile medical and dental services in Marshall...

BREWSTER – A one-vehicle rollover Thursday morning left a Brewster man with non-life threatening injuries, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Carlos Garcia Mendez, 32, of Brewster was westbound on Highway 60 near Nobles County Road 1 around 6:20 a.m. when he lost control on the frosty street and rolled his 2009 Suzuki Equator. Brewster Rescue and the Worthington Ambulance were called to the scene, while Mendez climbed from the vehicle and waited in the semi cab of a passerby. He was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. Mendez was taken to Sanford Worthington for treatment....